PNO-I-80-030, on 800218,while Refueling Core W/Pool Clarity & W/Approx 1/3 Core in Place,Problems Experienced in Seating Assembly.Assembly Placed in Core Improperly & Tilted Over. Area Evacuated

PNO-I-80-030:on 800218,while Refueling Core W/Pool Clarity & W/Approx 1/3 Core in Place,Problems Experienced in Seating Assembly.Assembly Placed in Core Improperly & Tilted Over. Area Evacuated

ML20126B709
Person / Time
Site:	Maine Yankee
Issue date:	02/19/1980
From:	Brunner E, Martin T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:
References
PNO-I-80-030, PNO-I-80-30, NUDOCS 8003190185
Download: ML20126B709 (1)

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.=c .i~ PRELIMIMARY NOTIFICATION

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Date: February 19', 1980

'l-q- PRELIMINARY NDTIFICATION -

OF,.EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--PHO-T This oreliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or ocolic interest sionificance.

receivec without verification or evaluation and is easica;1v all that is knownThe inform try IE staff on tnis data. -

Facil i ty~. Maine Yankee Atcmic Power Company Maine Yankee (DN S0-309) -

Wiscasset, Maine Subiect: TILTED SPENT FUEL ASSEMBLY While refueling the core on February 18, 1980, with poor pool clarity and with approximately one-third (1/3) the core in place, the licensee experienced problems in seating an assectly. Expecting the last assembly placed in the core had not properly engaged the lower core support pins, the licensee attempted to grasp the last assembly and it tilted over and care to rest at 50 degrees from the horizontal against the core barrel.

No increased activity was detected, but the containment was temporarily evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Adjacent fuel assemblies have now been rw.oved and two other improperly seated assenblics have been corrected. The licensee plans to right the tilted assembly using the auxiliary hook on the polar crane. The fuel asser.bly will then be inspected and reconstitued.

Media interest is possible because cf sensitivity to nuclear power issues. The State of Maine has been informed. A press release is not planned by :.he licensee or N?,C. NRC, Region I (Philadelphia) received notificatica of this occurrence by telephone from the plant Superintendent at B:4C a.m. on February 18, 1980.

Centac t: T. Martin (,488-1255)

Prepared by ~ YiT E. J. Brunner (488-1240) ~~

Branch Chic ~r" EXT O !STR IEUTI,Cfi: (Facsmile Trans:nissica Times Noted) .g H ST BLOG MARYLAND NATIONAL Chairman AhTaYn'e~ BANK f.dILDING \\ h~ IEiXOOS NRC/TMI T'eThnTc'aT Ccmissioner Xennedy W. J. Dir~cks, EICI"~~ Support Office Commissioner Gilinsxy -. C. Michelson, AEOD ~~

Cannissioner Bradford J. J. Fouchard. PA Region 11 Ccmissioner Hendrie .N. M. Haller MPA Region III

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R. G. Ryan. OSP Region IV S. J. Chilk, SECY .. H. K. Shepar, ELD Region V C. C. Y,a. r.e re r. CA ' ~~~"

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WILLSTE BLDG _ , , RI Resident Sites J. G. Lvis, W.SS j"

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S. Levin, RES _ , , _ /

H. R. Denton. HRR __

R. C. DeYoung , NRR LANDOW BLDG (Fax _ by HQ)

R. J. Mattson, NRP, (MAIQ (G MIN /PA3E) R. Minogue, 50 D. Vassallo, NRR J. J. Ctraings, OIA IE:X005

v. il m...w., dRR FRELIMLvRY 60TIFICATION Region I Fom 83a (Rev. January 1980) -

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